I have decided to buy a 85' 380SE and wondering about the performance of this car. I am having the car delivered, so I will not be able to drive it before I buy. I know it is the smaller V8, but since it is the "SE" it is the shorter wheelbase and lighter than the 500SEL (which is a 5.0L). Is this offset enough for this car to have adequate power?

Also, about the coolant levels on these Mercedes. I have been looking at several and many do not appear to have the coolant tank full. Actually, the car I am looking at is a little less than 1/2 level. Should these things always be full, or do they fluctuate? Also, when I get the car, I want to fill it up if it needs to be. I have heard that the "common" green anti-freeze is not acceptable on a Mercedes. What exactly is recommended?

Thanks in advance!

Update- I did another search and seems as if the dealer antifreeze is the way to go. Now, if I need to get the tank full? Any special procedures other than pouring it in? I ask because I had a Lumina that had a special procedure you had to do.

- Mine has enough power on the highway, but don't expect rocket-like acceleration. It's more like a refined escalation to cruising speed.

Look closely at the plastic tank and you'll see a full line on the side. The level depends on the owner's diligence on maintaining it. If there's a leak, you'll find out soon enough, but check around obvious places like the hoses and the pump for signs of leakage.


Lots of opinions on this, revealed through an archive search on 'coolant'. The consensus seems to be that green is not the best choice, either Mercedes coolant or Zerex G5 is preferred.

BTW, these are rather basic questions for someone with your post count. No offence, but I have a feeling that we will hear from you again, and I for one am always here for a fellow 380SE owner, the '85 being of course the preferred year. I do have the engine, chassis, and heating A/C manuals for this car. Good luck...

Added: No special procedure to top it up with whatever is in it now, but you'll need to flush to change it. Again, subject is well covered by threads here.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

I drove an 85 380 SE for 10 years. It has a LOT of power. Keep the oil changed, replace timing chain as soon as you start hearing it chatter on start-up, and fix things when they break. My performance really peaked after a valve job. Why did you have to start this thread -- now I miss my 380!

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65 190d sold
85 380SE sold
87 560 SL 180K
84 380SE 96K (mint)

Thanks for the replies guys. Its great to know others here own or have owned this year and model of Mercedes. I have contacted the owner and have decided to buy this car. We just have to work out the details. I am going to make a new post about this, because I know a few here wondered if I was ever going to find the "right" Mercedes. I have stalled on buying one for about 3 years now.

Yeah Don, I am sure I will have a LOT of questions. I will probably drive you crazy considering you have a 85' 380SE. . Yeah, I have a lot of posts, but it was mainly me asking questions about cars I was considering in the past. My only other Mercedes was a 74' 240D that my uncle had bought new, but it had a lot of problems and I never got to drive it. I sold it for $75. about 6 years ago. As far as these Mercedes go, I know nothing about them, except what I have read here, so I guess this forum will come in very handy when it comes to questions I have. I was really unsure about the coolant, because until Mercedes, I had never heard of a car requiring "special" coolant. Thanks for clearing that up.

Bribenz and DerryB: Yeah, that is my main concern. The car has 263K and the owner has NO idea when or if the chain/tensioner/rails were changed. He has owned it for 5 years he said. I am guessing that at these miles, it has either been changed or it would have broke by now, or knowing my luck, about to break. I have already contacted a local Mercedes independent shop and got a quote of $500 (parts and labor) to change the chain and tensioner. I did not think about checking on the rails too. I guess that will add even more. I am sure I will get it changed soon before I do a lot of driving. If it is not making that noise on start-up, could it also be that the tensioner and rails are OK, or only does the worn chain make the noise?

As far as rust goes, thankfully, this is a 100% rust free southeastern car. The car is silver with dark blue interior. Again, I have only seen photos and I am buying it sight-unseen, but for only $1000. I am going to take a chance on it. The only problems mentioned are two of the windows work sporadically.

Thanks again!

will have two lines. one as a minimum when cold, the other max when hot.

i have never driven a 380se but i have driven a 380sl which is about the same weight. it was not a neck snapper but a torque motor. i think it will be most adequate.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks Tom. Do you know if these are fuel injected? I am thinking yes.

He did mention that the car idled a little rough if it was cold outside, until it warmed up. After that, it runs very smoothly. Perhaps just a tune-up is in order?

that would be injected.

the rough warm up might not be much of a problem. my 500 (basically the same as a 380), does that a lot. my indie tested this and that and we replaced a few minor parts and it never has quit. but it never has gotten worse either. a friend who used to work at the benz dealer back when these were new said "always crack the throttle a little when starting them". since i do that it is a lot better.

as i remember this style of injection has been a little shaggy on warm start ups in certain conditions since they were new.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.